Filling In The Fabric Of Downtown Hartford

In a small but significant step in the revival of downtown Hartford, the commercial space in The Linden, the stylish Victorian residence on Main Street and Linden Place, is filling up.

The commercial space is on the first floor of the condominium building, below 59 residential units. Though the roomy residential units have been quite popular since the 122-year-old structure was renovated in the 1980s, the commercial space has languished; a couple of restaurants have come and gone. Though the commercial space was divided into 12 condominiums, it had been in the hands of one owner.

In 2011, the condominium association took it over, and have been selling units to individual owners. This strategy has worked. In the past year seven of the units have been purchased, and potential buyers are looking at a couple more. The commercial tenants now include an insurance agency, two law firms, a wealth management company, the Hartford firefighters union and, soon, a branch of Al's Market. The space, off an arcade-like series of brick arches inside the building, is very attractive.

Downtown Hartford's days of big-bang developments — convention center, science center, etc. — may be over for a while, and that's not necessarily bad, as long as there is smaller, incremental development. This kind of growth can restore the fabric of the area and make it more attractive for prospective residents and developers. Activity on the first floor of the Linden is a good sign.